FIFA opens disciplinary proceedings against RFEF president after kiss: NPR

FIFA has initiated disciplinary proceedings against the president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales. Rubiales was seen here at a reception for the Spanish national team on Tuesday in Madrid, after Spain won the Women’s World Cup on Sunday.

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FIFA has initiated disciplinary proceedings against the president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales. Rubiales was seen here at a reception for the Spanish national team on Tuesday in Madrid, after Spain won the Women’s World Cup on Sunday.

Pablo Blasquez Dominguez/Getty Images

FIFA has launched disciplinary proceedings against the president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, after he kissed player Jennifer Hermoso on the mouth during the medal ceremony at the Women’s World Cup.

In a statement on Thursday, soccer’s global governing body Simply stated He said Sunday’s “events that took place during the final” could constitute breaches by Rubiales of FIFA’s disciplinary code.

The kiss, which was broadcast live around the world, appeared to have been forced by Rubiales, sparking widespread criticism and calls for his sacking. After Spain beat England, Rubiales also made genital-grasping gestures in the VIP booth a few meters away from the Queen of Spain, hugging several players tightly, and lifting them off the ground.

And in Spain, the head of the country’s Supreme Sports Council said on Wednesday He said the board would take action against Rubiales if the Spanish Football Federation did not act urgently.

The federation called an emergency meeting on Friday, referring to the events in the cup final He noted that its internal procedures Be public when it comes to integrity issues.

Hermoso spoke through her union, Futpro, which she said “has the responsibility to defend my interests and to be the interlocutor on this matter” along with her agency TMJ.

Rubiales’ behavior after Spain’s victory was heavily criticized, including by the Spanish Prime Minister and the unions representing the team’s players. Here Rubiales is shown holding Spaniard Athena del Castillo Bivide.

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Rubiales’ behavior after Spain’s victory was heavily criticized, including by the Spanish Prime Minister and the unions representing the team’s players. Here Rubiales is shown holding Spaniard Athena del Castillo Bivide.

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The FUTPro organization, which represents female soccer players in Spain, expressed its “firm and resounding condemnation of behaviors that violate the dignity of women.”

“From our association we ask the Royal Spanish Football Federation to implement the necessary protocols, guarantee the rights of our players and adopt exemplary measures. It is essential that our team, the current world champions, is always represented by personalities who reflect the values ​​of equality and respect in all areas”. This was stated in a statement.

“We also call on the Supreme Council for Sports, within its powers, to support and strengthen prevention and intervention in the face of sexual harassment or assault, masculinity and sexism,” Footbro concluded.

There was previously a disconnect between what Hermoso expressed immediately after the match, and what the federation later issued in a statement attributed to her.

In a live broadcast from the locker room after the match, Hermoso said of Rubiales’ kiss: “I didn’t like it.” As she is shown a video or photo of the kiss, she says, “What am I doing? Look at me, look at me.” Later RFEF issued a statement She was said to be from Hermoso, in which she downplayed the seriousness of the events and described it as a “reciprocal gesture”. According to the Spanish news site Relevo that Hermoso did not actually write or say the manifesto.

FIFA says the events involving Rubiales may constitute violations its disciplinary codeReferring to the paragraphs dealing with offensive behavior and the obligation to comply with the rules and principles of fair play of FIFA. It says that a person may be disciplined, among other things, for violating basic rules of proper behaviour; use gestures, signs or offensive language; or act in a way that brings the sport of football and/or FIFA into disrepute.

On Tuesday, Spain’s acting prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, rebuked Rubiales, saying, “It was an unacceptable gesture and Mr. Rubiales’ apologies are not enough.”